Give your students copies of the "Thinkmark (PDF)" to record their "reader thoughts" as they prepare for discussion about their reading.

Pause during a read-aloud after an emotional moment and ask students to spend several moments writing from the point of view of one of the characters. Use their writing as the basis for discussion.

Alternately, choose a selection of dialogue from a group text, reproduce copies for everyone, and ask students in small groups to practice reading the dialogue dramatically. Have some students share with the class as a whole.